Mother/baby unit

Hi all,
This is my first post. I have been reading thru for ages and have finally gotten the courage to post.
Firstly, let me start with a little background. I have had depression and major anxiety for most of my life, but it has gradually gotten worst with each child, (i have a 7 yr old boy, 4 yr old girl and 5 month old boy).
My baby boy has been a 'difficult' baby for the most part. And i am really struggling to cope.
He doesnt sleep well and nurses to sleep most/ all of the time!
Anyway, cut a long story short and get to the point of my post...
I am thinking of admitting myself in to a mother baby unit. Can any of you who have been, tell me what to expect once there? Anything you could tell me about it would be great. Like how do i go about it for a start?
TIA

The Following User Says Thank You to sunnyflower For This Useful Post:

I'm really sorry this is happening for you. Depression and anxiety can be so debilitating.
Speak to your Dr or your child health nurse for sure. You may need a referral.
Although I believe some you can self refer to. In Vic, I went to the O'Connell centre mainly for sleep issues but they don't call themselves a sleep school because they work on more than just sleep. They were great.
I also spoke to queen Elizabeth centre but didn't go there because I got into O'Connell.
Also do you have private health insurance ? Some are private.

The Following User Says Thank You to TheGooch For This Useful Post:

So a mother baby unit is the sleep school i have heard about from friends in the past or are they 2 different things?
Sorry for all my questions, i just a bit afraid of taking the step to going into one, but if its the 'sleep school' it doesnt sound too daunting to me (if that makes sense)

I am in vic, and i dont have private health care.
I have had the austin one mentioned to me by PANDA.

I just wanted to say congratulations on your courage. You have taken the first step and that is scary I know but wonderful.

I was very close to admitting myself to a mother baby unit but there isn't one close to where I live.

Where are you located? Perhaps some local hubbers can help you. I agree, a trusted GP would be a good place to start. Take care of yourself and hang in there. Many of us on here know how it feels to be struggling to cope. We are here if you need.

I think there is a difference between a mother baby unit and sleep school. My understanding is a mother baby unit is often part of a hospital whereas a sleep school isn't always.

Sorry I'm probably being s bit vague its been years since I had to know about this. A hubber on here years ago had severe PND when her babies were tiny and was admitted to a mother baby unit in Brisbane which was part of a psych ward not only a sleep school.

So a mother baby unit is the sleep school i have heard about from friends in the past or are they 2 different things?
Sorry for all my questions, i just a bit afraid of taking the step to going into one, but if its the 'sleep school' it doesnt sound too daunting to me (if that makes sense)

I am in vic, and i dont have private health care.
I have had the austin one mentioned to me by PANDA.

Sorry if I was vague. I don't want to give you the wrong info. Mum and Bub units aren't sleep schools. But some mum and Bub units work on sleep. So that can be a reason to go to them if that makes sense?
O'Connell Family Centre (where I went) is part of the Mercy hospital. You get admitted as a public patient. Dads can go too which is why I was happy to get into that one. That may or may not be something that's important to you.
Here is a snapshot of what they doImageUploadedByThe Bub Hub1453788054.425964.jpg
You need a referral. My child health nurse said she couldn't do it but I was working with a perinatal emotional health program who was able to refer me. Your GP could also refer you I think.
Please call them and speak to them and if you want more information, I'm happy to help

The Following User Says Thank You to TheGooch For This Useful Post:

Thanks so much for replying everyone and all the info. I have an appt with my dr on Thursday, and i will discuss it with him. In the meantime, i will give a few places a call, and maybe even ring PANDA again. I think i can do it? i think it needs to be done.....

The Following User Says Thank You to MsViking For This Useful Post:

I looked into Masada sleep school. Like others said, some are sleep based, others are more family unit based, like how to parent. And some are psychiatric based I believe. You GP will know which is best for you.

Hang in there, I know it's hard. When my DD2 was that age she woke every hour and would take 45mins to settle. That left me 15mins to sleep before she woke again. I didn't have depression but if you looked at me sideways I would burst into tears. God it was so hard.

I didn't end up going in as I didn't have anyone to watch my 2yo (I'm a solo parent). But I did ask for help, my sister would drive 3hrs to come over on the weekend so I could get some sleep then. My DD still isn't a great sleeper, often up to her 3-5 times a night even though she's 2 now. But thankfully she's in a big girls bed and I can just lie next to her to settle her most nights.

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